He elicited no new fact.
He paused, and then he said, carelessly as a mere matter of routine: "I should like to know, M.Gournay-Martin, if there has ever been any other robbery committed at your house ?" "Three years ago this scoundrel Lupin--" the millionaire began violently.
"Yes, yes; I know all about that earlier burglary.

But have you been robbed since ?" said M.Formery, interrupting him.
"No, I haven't been robbed since that burglary; but my daughter has," said the millionaire.
"Your daughter ?" said M.Formery.
"Yes; I have been robbed two or three times during the last three years," said Germaine.
"Dear me! But you ought to have told us about this before.

This is extremely interesting, and most important," said M.Formery, rubbing his hands, "I suppose you suspect Victoire ?" "No, I don't," said Germaine quickly.

"It couldn't have been Victoire.
The last two thefts were committed at the chateau when Victoire was in Paris in charge of this house." M.Formery seemed taken aback, and he hesitated, consulting his notes.
Then he said: "Good--good.

That confirms my hypothesis." "What hypothesis ?" said M.Gournay-Martin quickly.
"Never mind--never mind," said M.Formery solemnly.